U.S. patent number 6,659,321 [Application Number 09/791,909] was granted by the patent office on 2003-12-09 for pocket-mounted tool pouch.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ideal Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bruce W. Hartranft, David A. Trotter, John Zachary.
United States Patent |
6,659,321 |
Hartranft , et al. |
December 9, 2003 |
Pocket-mounted tool pouch
Abstract
A tool pouch includes an internal tool receiving portion and an
external tool receiving portion such that the internal tool
receiving portion is insertable into the user pocket to provide a
protective tool holder within the user pocket and the external tool
receiving portion is positioned outside of the user pocket for
receiving tools. The internal tool receiving portion has first and
second internal members which are generally planar elements that
are attached to each other to form an internal tool receiving
cavity. The external tool receiving portion has first and second
external members which are generally planar elements that are
attached to each other to form a second tool receiving cavity. The
internal and external tool receiving portions are connected at a
bail. Any part of the internal or external tool receiving portions
may be substantially formed from a multi-layered piece of material.
An underlying stiffening element may be used to strengthen any
portion of the tool pouch. Reinforcing tape is stitched along the
sides and ends. A belt loop or slots may be added on a surface
adjacent the user.
Inventors: |
Hartranft; Bruce W. (St.
Charles, IL), Zachary; John (Phoenix, AZ), Trotter; David
A. (Oshawa, CA) |
Assignee: |
Ideal Industries, Inc.
(Sycamore, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
25155177 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/791,909 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/683; 224/182;
224/230; 224/677 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F
5/00 (20130101); A45F 5/022 (20130101); B25H
3/00 (20130101); A45F 5/021 (20130101); A45F
2200/0575 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A45F
5/02 (20060101); A45F 5/00 (20060101); A45C
011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;224/581,582,587,197,182,609,677,681,682,683,684,230,223,904,671,673,666,239 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Newhouse; Nathan J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cook, Alex, McFarron, Manzo,
Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tool pouch for carrying tools which is mountable to a user
pocket on a user's piece of clothing, comprising: an internal tool
receiving portion having at least two generally planar elements
which are attached along sides and bottom ends thereof and being
insertable into the user pocket to form an internal tool receiving
cavity, and an external tool receiving portion having at least two
generally planar elements being attached along sides and bottom
ends thereof and being positionable outside of the user pocket to
form an external tool receiving cavity, the internal tool receiving
portion being attached to the external tool receiving portion along
adjacent top ends to form a bail, wherein at least one of the
internal and external tool receiving portions is comprised of a
material which is folded over upon itself and attached along side
edges thereof, each planar element of the corresponding tool
receiving portion defining a surface which extends continuously
between the sides of the respective internal and external tool
receiving portion, wherein at least one of the internal and
external tool receiving portions has an internally located
stiffening member which extends continuously between the sides of
the respective tool receiving portion.
2. The tool pouch of claim 1 wherein the internal tool receiving
portion has aligned dimensions with the external tool receiving
portion.
3. The tool pouch of claim 1 wherein the internal tool receiving
portion has one top end adjacent a user contact surface which
extends above the bail.
4. The tool pouch of claim 1 wherein the external tool receiving
portion has one top end which is positioned below the bail.
5. The tool pouch of claim 1 wherein at least one of the internal
and external tool receiving portions has a belt loop positioned
thereon.
6. The tool pouch of claim 1 wherein at least one of the internal
and external tool receiving portions has belt slots positioned
therein.
7. The tool pouch of claim 1 wherein at least one of the internal
and external tool receiving portions is made of a multi-layered
fabric.
8. The tool pouch of claim 1 wherein the internal and external tool
receiving portions are made of one piece of folded material.
9. The tool pouch of claim 1 wherein at least one of the internal
and external tool receiving portions has reinforcing tape.
10. A tool pouch for carrying tools which is mountable to a user
pocket on a user's piece of clothing, comprising: a generally
planar first internal member having a user contact surface, side
edges, a top end and a bottom end; a generally planar second
internal member having side edges, a top end and a bottom end and
being attached to the side edges and bottom end of the first
internal member opposite the user contact surface to form an
internal tool receiving cavity, the first and second internal
members being positionable internally within the user pocket, the
user contact surface being positioned closest to the user when the
first internal member is positioned within the user pocket; a
generally planar first external member having side edges, a top end
and a bottom end and being attached to the second internal member
at a bail; and a generally planar second external member having
side edges, a top end and a bottom end and being attached to the
first external member side edges and bottom end to form an external
tool receiving cavity which is positioned outside of the user
pocket when the first and second internal members are positioned
within the user pocket, each member defining a surface which
extends continuously between the sides edges, wherein the first
internal member has an internal stiffening element which extends
continuously between the side edges of the first internal
member.
11. The tool pouch of claim 10 wherein the first internal member
side edges and bottom end is aligned with the second internal
member side edges and bottom end, and the first external member
side edges and bottom end is aligned with the second external
member side edges and bottom end.
12. The tool pouch of claim 10 wherein the first internal member
top end extends above the user pocket to provide protection to the
clothing of the user during insertion and extraction of tools.
13. The tool pouch of claim 10 wherein reinforcing tape is stitched
along the attachment between the first and second internal members
and along the attachment between the first and second external
members.
14. The tool pouch of claim 10 wherein the tool pouch is made of a
resilient material.
15. The tool pouch of claim 10 wherein the second internal member
and the first external member are made of one piece of folded
material.
16. The tool pouch of claim 10 wherein the first and second
internal members and first and second external members are all made
from one piece of folded material.
17. The tool pouch of claim 10 wherein at least one of the first
and second internal members and first and second external members
are made of a multi-layered material.
18. The tool pouch of claim 10 wherein a belt loop is attached to
the user surface of the first internal member.
19. The tool pouch of claim 10 wherein slots are formed on the user
surface of the first internal member for receiving a belt.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tool pouch which inserts into a
pocket of the user and integrates an inside pocket holder with an
outside pocket tool holder to provide tool receiving cavities
located both internally and externally to the user pocket.
Electricians and other workmen frequently find themselves carrying
tools in their pockets. This is especially true if they are only
carrying a few tools because it is easier to put these few tools in
their pockets than rigging a tool pouch. Oftentimes, the tools can
be quite sharp, as with the case of some electrical tools, and tend
to pierce the fabric of workmen's pants or other pieces of
clothing. Workmen are occasionally injured when the sharp tools dig
into their skin through the thin fabric of their clothing during
routine working activities. The pockets will develop holes or tears
from frequent use. It further can be difficult to remove tools from
pockets, particularly pant pockets, due to the coarseness of the
fabric or the tightness of the clothing on the user.
Current inside-the-pocket tool holders provide protection to the
user's pant pocket but only provide for the placement of tools
within the pant pocket. There may not be enough room in the pant
pocket to accommodate the worker's tools making it important to
provide the worker with a pocket-mounted holder which can
accommodate more tools outside of the pocket.
Other tool pouches provide tool-receiving compartments which are
positioned outside of the pocket and are mounted to the pant pocket
with hooks or insertion tabs. These outside-of-the-pocket tool
pouches do not have tool-receiving compartments located internally
of the user pant pocket. Users are left with nothing to protect
their pant pocket if they need to place additional tools in their
pocket. Thus, there is a desire for a tool pouch which combines the
features of an inside-the-pocket tool holder with those of an
outside-the-pocket tool holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a pocket-mounted tool pouch with
tool receiving compartments which receive tools both inside the
user pocket and outside the user pocket.
A primary purpose of the invention is to provide a tool pouch
having an internal tool receiving portion and an external tool
receiving portion for receiving tools both inside and outside of
the pocket.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a tool pouch made of
a protective material to protect the user from injury due to the
placement of sharp tools in the tool pouch compartments.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a tool pouch having
a smooth surface in order to facilitate insertion and extraction of
tools from the pouch.
Still another purpose of the invention is to provide a tool pouch
which protects the pocket from excessive wear due to frequent
insertion and extraction of tools from the pockets.
Yet another purpose of the invention is to provide a tool pouch
which protects the pocket from dirt, oil and the like which can be
frequently deposited on tools.
A further purpose of the invention is to provide a tool pouch which
doubles the tool carrying capacity of the pocket while providing a
sleek, professional and organized appearance for the user.
An additional purpose of the invention is to provide a tool pouch
which allows for removal of all tools at once merely by lifting the
tool pouch out of the pocket.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a tool pouch which
can be either mounted to a pocket or attached to a belt depending
on the day-to-day needs of the user.
Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings
and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tool pouch of
the present invention shown as being mounted to a user pant
pocket.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the tool pouch.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the tool pouch.
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the tool pouch shown with a belt
loop.
FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the tool pouch shown with
alternate belt slots.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the tool pouch, on an enlarged scale.
FIG. 7 is a section taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 4 with an
exaggerated expansion of the pouch to illustrate its various
layers.
FIG. 8 is a section taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The tool pouch 10 includes an internal tool receiving portion 12
and an external tool receiving portion 14. The internal tool
receiving portion 12 is insertable into the user pocket 13 to
provide a protective tool holder within the user pocket. The
external tool receiving portion 14 is positioned outside of the
user pocket 13 for receiving tools. Although the internal and
external receiving portions will be shown and described as
substantially being made from a single piece of material which is
folded over onto itself, it is possible that they can be
constructed from separate pieces which are sewn, glued or otherwise
fastened together. Whereas the drawings show a double fabric layer
being attributed to the tool pouch parts, a single fabric layer
could be used. Moreover, while the invention is shown and described
as being insertable into a user pant pocket, it is applicable to
any clothing pocket.
In FIGS. 1 through 8, the internal tool receiving portion 12 is
made of a first internal member 16 and a second internal member 17.
The first internal member 16 is generally planar and has side edges
18, a top end 20, a bottom end 22, and a user contact surface 24
which is positioned closest to the user when the first internal
member is positioned within the user pocket. The side edges 18 and
ends 20, 22 are sized to be substantially received by the user
pocket. As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferred that the first internal
member 16 be sized as large as possible while still fitting within
the user's pocket 13. The first internal member top end 20
preferably extends upward from the top of the user's pocket when
the tool pouch is positioned therein. Other shapes and sizes are
also possible so long as the tool pouch is capable of being
received by the pocket in the user's clothing.
The first internal member 16 is shown as being constructed with an
underlying or internal stiffening element 28 (shown in dotted lines
in FIGS. 3 through 5) with an overlying resilient material. This
construction provides the desired degree of rigidity and
resiliency. Specifically, the tool pouch will tend to keep its
shape regardless of what tools are placed within it.
FIGS. 3 through 8 show a first fold line 31 which separates the
first internal member 16 from the second internal member 17 with
the bottom end 22 common to both the internal members 16, 17. The
second internal member 17 has a generally planar shape and includes
side edges 36, a top end 38 and the bottom end 22. Although the
second internal member 17 may have any dimensions, it is preferred
that it be sized substantially the same as the first internal
member, i.e., as large as possible while still being received by
the user pocket. The second internal member side edges 36 are
attached to the first internal member side edges 18 opposite the
user contact surface 24 with both top ends 20, 38 left open as
shown in FIG. 6. As such, the first internal member 16 and the
second internal member 17 can be described as the elements which
define an internal tool receiving cavity 48 therebetween.
Similarly, the external tool receiving portion 14 has a first
external member 32 and a second external member 34. The first
external member 32 of the external tool receiving portion 14 is
connected to the second internal member 17 of the internal tool
receiving portion 12 on the side opposite the first internal member
16. The connection between the internal and external tool receiving
portions 12, 14 occurs at the top end 38 and forms a bail 50.
Although the external tool receiving portion 14 is shown to have
substantially similar dimensions as the internal tool receiving
portion 12, it is possible for the external tool receiving portion
to have different dimensions and a different shape than the
internal tool receiving portion.
Both the first and second external members 32, 34 are generally
planar. The first external member 32 has side edges 42, a bottom
end 46, and shares the top end 38 at the bail 50 with the second
internal member 17. The second external member 34 has side edges 52
and a top end 54 and shares the bottom end 46 with the first
external member 32 along a fold line 51. The second external member
34 is attached to the first external member on the side thereof
opposite the second internal member 17 along side edges 42, 52 as
best seen in FIG. 8. The top end 54 is left open. As such, the
first and second external members 32, 34 can be described as the
elements which define an external tool receiving cavity 58.
Although any size or shape is possible for the second external
member 34, it is preferred that its sides 52 be aligned with the
side dimensions of the first external member 32. The second
external member top end 54 may be located slightly below the first
external member top end 38 or the bail 50 to facilitate the
insertion of tools into the external tool receiving cavity 58 by
the user. Other orientations of the second external member top end
are possible such as where the top end is located higher than the
first external member top end 38 to accommodate larger tools or
prevent tools from falling out.
Either of the tool receiving cavities 48, 58 may be divided into
compartments to hold tools individually or prevent tools from
becoming tangled. Additional cavities, receptacles, loops or the
like may be attached to the second external member to hold
additional tools outside of the user's pocket.
FIGS. 3 through 8 illustrate the tool pouch with a belt attachment.
In FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, a belt loop 62 is attached to the user
contact surface 24 of the first internal member 16. In FIG. 5,
slots 64 are shown as an alternate method for insertion of a belt
within the user contact surface 24 of the first internal member 16.
Although the belt loops and slots are shown as being positioned on
the first internal member, other placements are also possible.
The tool pouch is preferably made from a resilient protective
material such as nylon or the like to protect the user from injury
from the placement of sharp tools in the tool pouch pockets. The
tool pouch has a multi-layered construction where at least a
two-layer fabric thickness is used. The additional layers of
material may be an overlapped portion of a single piece of fabric
as shown, or separate pieces of fabric, either comprised of the
same or similar material or different kinds of material. The
additional thickness of a multi-layered construction provides added
strength, rigidity and durability to the tool pouch and prevents
injury to the user by sharp tools within the tool pouch. It is
important that the overlying protective material has a relatively
smooth surface in order to facilitate insertion and extraction of
tools from the user's pocket and to prevent tools from snagging on
the surface. Durability and wear characteristics of the pouch are
also important. The pockets and edges must withstand abrasion and
wear from frequent use and resist puncture from tools placed within
the pouch. The pouch preferably is made of at least two layers of
an overlapped or folded over piece of uncut fabric. Alternatively,
a single layer of 600-denier fabric having double thickness may
also be used to construct the pockets or other parts of the
pouch.
In FIGS. 1 through 8 reinforcing tape 60 is added along the
attached member sides edges of both the internal and external tool
receiving portions 12, 14 in order to increase the strength and
durability of the tool pouch. The tape is preferably cloth material
that is sewn or stitched to the side edges of the various
layers.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the underlying stiffening element 28 is
inserted between the double layers of the first internal member 16
and is preferably narrower than the width thereof so as to not
interfere with the stitching of the tape 60 along the side edges of
the internal tool receiving portion 12. If desired however, the
width of the stiffening element 28 can be expanded to the seams.
Although the underlying stiffening element is shown as incorporated
within the first internal member 16, it is contemplated that an
underlying stiffening element could be used to strengthen any or
all parts of the tool pouch including but not limited to additional
tool receiving cavities attached to the tool pouch. A curved or
segmented stiffening element may also be used for the bail.
To assemble the tool pouch as shown in the drawings, a piece of
material starts at the first internal member top end 20 and
continues to the bottom end 22. The surface of the first internal
member 16 adjacent the user forms the user contact surface 24. At
the bottom end 22, the material is folded along fold line 31 in the
direction opposite user contact surface 24 and continues upwards to
form the second internal member 17 turning at the second internal
member top end 38 to form the U-shaped bail 50. Attachment between
the first and second internal members 16, 17 occurs along the side
edges 18, 36 and forms the internal tool receiving cavity 48. From
the bail 50, the material folds over to form the first external
member 32 continuing to the first external member bottom end 46
where the material folds again at fold line 51. From the fold line
51, the material forms the second external member 34 with
attachment occurring along the side edges 42, 52 of the first and
second external member 32, 34 forming the external tool receiving
cavity 58. If a layer of material is used of the same fabric, an
additional fold line can be added at the second external member top
end 54 and the material simply retraces its shape back to the first
internal member top end 20 thus forming a piece of material which
has a seamless length with attachment being required between the
member side edges and the first internal member top end 20 only. If
additional layers of the same fabric is required, then a fold line
can be created at first internal member top end 20 and retrace the
tool pouch shape to second member top end 54 and so on and so forth
until the desired number of layers is attained. It is also possible
for each multi-layer of fabric to be an individually cut piece
rather than a folded over piece.
The methods of attachment forming the internal and external tool
receiving cavities 48, 58 include but are not limited to stitching,
glueing, riveting or other like methods. By way of example, but not
limitation, stitch lines are shown at 66 along tape 60 in FIGS. 2,
4, and 5. Where the multi-layered thickness is comprised of
individual pieces of material, then additional attachment points
will be required to connect the layers to each other.
Other constructions are also possible. For instance, it is possible
for the tool pouch to be comprised of individual elements which
together form the internal tool receiving portion 12 or the
external tool receiving portion 14. By way of example, the first
and second internal members of the internal tool receiving portion
could be comprised of separate pieces of material which are
attached to each other along their side edges and separate bottom
ends forming the internal tool receiving cavity. The first and
second external members may be similarly comprised of separate
elements which are attached along their sides edges and bottom
ends. The bail may also be a point of attachment between the top
ends of the second internal member and the first external member.
Among all the members, any combination of single or multi-layer
construction, underlying stiffening elements and reinforcing seams
is also possible.
To insert the tool pouch 10, the user slides the internal tool
receiving portion 12 having first and second internal members 16,
17 into the user pocket until the user meets resistance. As shown
in FIG. 1, the internal tool receiving cavity 48 receives tools
therein while in the user's pocket. The internal tool receiving
portion 12 may be insertable into the user's pocket up to the bail
50 with the bottom end 22 being securely positioned adjacent the
pocket bottom. The first internal member top end 20 extends upward
from the top of the user's pocket when the tool pouch is positioned
therein to provide additional protection to the user's clothing
during insertion and extraction of the tools. From the bail 50, the
tool pouch extends outside of the user's pocket to define the
external tool receiving cavity 58.
The tool pouch provides a protected compartment located inside the
user's pocket and an another tool compartment located outside the
user's pocket. The pouch protects the user's pocket from excessive
wear due to repeated insertion and extraction of tools therefrom.
It further protects the user's pocket from dirt, oil or the like
which can be frequently deposited on tools. The overall appearance
of the tool pouch provides a sleek, professional and organized
appearance for the wearer and doubles the tool carrying capacity of
the user's pocket. The tool pouch allows for complete removal of
all the tools from the user's pocket at once simply by lifting the
tool pouch out of the user's pocket.
Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown and
described herein, it should be realized that there may be many
modifications, substitutions and alterations thereto. For instance,
it is possible for the internal and external tool receiving
cavities to have other adaptations such as loops, holes, hooks,
other shaped compartments for receiving different types of tools,
measuring devices, spare parts, clipboards, keys, cards and other
like objects. Although the tool pouch is shown to be sized to fit
into a back pocket of the user's pants, it is realized that the
tool pouch may be sized to fit other pockets such as the front
right or left pant pockets, side clothing pockets, cargo pant
pockets, coat pockets, jacket pockets, shirt pockets or other
pockets as needed by the user.
* * * * *